Disney Aladdin Jr

This was my first visit to see LEOS Youth Group without watching a dress rehearsal through a camera lens so I had the opportunity to sit back and enjoy the production along with the very appreciative audience.

Right from the start I could see this was going to be a very enjoyable evening.  All the cast members, from their very first entrances in Arabian Nights, to the Finale company bows, gave their character’s life, energy and nuance so that they were completely believable, be they market trader or Prince and Princess alike.

The first thing that struck me was the quality of the movement.  I have not seen a Junior cast (or indeed many adult casts) that had such beautiful arms pointing and extending their execution of the sympathetic choreography and so hats off to Lilia Scattergood for all the hard work you must have put into the rehearsal period and to all the cast for your delivery!

Turning now to the main characters.  No production of Aladdin Jr is complete without a strong Aladdin, Princess Jasmine, Genie and Sultan and here LEOS had a very strong quartet.  Quillen Parker and Alice Whitaker judged their performances well and delivered a very believable growing romance throughout the night.  Tristan Bromley made the most of his dialogue and was a suitable stern presence with an obvious soft spot for his daughter.  Findlay Parker was on fine form bringing out the slapstick elements of the Genie and challenging Will Smith throughout the night to great effect and with an infinite supply of facial expressions and vocal / physical twists.

Ivan Hager provided just the right level of threat from Jafar ably abetted for most of the show by Tom Lightbown’s Iago.  Kate Whitaker and Bella Syson provided strong vocal support as Babkak and Kassim, Roisin Parker was excellent in her dual role as dance captain and Omar.  Niamh Lee, Neve Johnson, Nefeli Fryganioti were the appropriately devoted attendants for Princess Jasmine and Finn Cliff gave Prince Abdullah just the right level of arrogance as the unsuitable suitor.

In addition to these named characters the whole ensemble ensured that the action never flagged and that the full cast dance numbers were a vocal and dance highlight across the production so congratulations to Maddi, Elizabeth, Chloe, Abraham, Niamh S, Grace, Eliza, Francesca, Holly, Jess P, Jess C, Emily, Ella, Lucy G and Lucy CJ.

A very enjoyable production all round Directed with great skill and precision by Siobhan Parker and Claire Collishaw.  Siobhan and Claire ensured that the story moved with great pace and attention to detail throughout the evening and the Cast’s vocal performances and diction were a tribute to the Musical Direction from Hannah Pettit.

The projections used throughout, with a number of key physical elements of staging were a great combination that kept the story moving and the arrival of the magic carpet will keep me chuckling for some time.  So a big nicely-done to Dave Dallard, for excellent sound and visuals, and the backstage team for the seamless scene changes.  Costuming and Lighting brought the Arabian theme to life and provided just the right atmosphere and punctuated the show highlights to great effect.  Another strong performance from Dave Martin and team.

All-in-all a very enjoyable night in theatre with the many and varied talents of the LEOS team, both on stage, and from the production team all co-ordinated by Katie Bird, one of the East Midlands most committed Stage Managers.  Congratulations all and on to the next adventure.

© NODA CIO.  All rights reserved 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.